as in aft
near, toward, or in the stern of a ship or the tail of an aircraft
if you turn around and look astern, you'll see dolphins following the boat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astern
Adverb
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Also of note is the Dusk Bar, which sits aft on Deck 10 and is stocked with interesting spirits.—
David Swanson,
Travel + Leisure,
27 May 2024 -
Open exterior decks forward and aft allow for a steady sea breeze, as the owner—who was last aboard his yacht in the summer of 2021—used to regularly enjoy.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
10 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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These are the least-powerful rear-wheel-drive models, which also happen to be the sweetest-driving versions.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
17 Apr. 2026
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The car also had a distinctive strip of tape on the passenger side where the rear bumper seam meets the quarter panel.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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In a famous 1983 episode written by Norman Stiles, the human cast member Gordon comes upon Big Bird walking backward with his head between his knees, looking pleased with this new perspective.—
Jean Garnett,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
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The overwhelming vote represented a major step forward in a conversation that has frequently stepped sideways, or even backwards.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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At some point, the adult who was trailing behind got too close to the edge and fell, rescuers said.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
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While domesticated pigs were sustainable, low-maintenance food sources, TPWD notes the pigs were left behind as explorers moved across the continent, thus leading to those pigs becoming feral.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Astern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astern. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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